Meet Lithy Morley, our Canada Memorial Foundation Scholar, who was awarded a full scholarship to study a Masters of Geography and Environmental Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Lithy recently wrote to us, saying, "since arriving in Canada in August I have loved every moment! At the University of British Columbia, I am challenged and supported by my peers and supervisor. The opportunities here are both academically and personally stimulating, and I am now working on my Master’s thesis alongside a team of likeminded students. My research centres on corridor ecology in Northern British Columbia and will be completed in consultation with the Tsilhqot’in National Government, who represent the indigenous communities located within our study area."

"I have been a Teaching Assistant at university for both terms, which I have enjoyed. I am hoping to complete my field research this summer, which will entail using drones to collect landcover imagery and monitoring grizzly bear behaviour during one of Canada’s biggest salmon runs. Alongside this research, I am excited to spend some of my summer exploring more of the area around me and have planned several multi-day hikes and kayaking trips."

Dipnetting at Gwetsilh (Siwash) on Tŝilhqox (Chilko River). Photo: Tsilhqot'in National Government — Dipnetting at Gwetsilh (Siwash) on Tŝilhqox (Chilko River). Photo: Tsilhqot'in National Government

"Many of my plans are unsure with Covid-19 causing national and provincial parks to be closed as well as putting our field research in jeopardy... All the amazing experiences I have had this year would be impossible without the CMF scholarship, it has made my connections with Canada possible!"

The deadline for applications for 2021/22 is January 31, 2021. For more details please visit our website.

Flag Bearer Nominations for Commonwealth Service (note tight deadline!) The Royal Commonwealth Society has invited nominations from young Canadians to carry the Canadian flag at the upcoming Commonwealth ceremonies, Monday 8 March, 2021 at Westminster Abbey. The full application details we received are copied below for your further information. Information about the Royal Commonwealth Society event is available here. We hope to see some great applications from many of our accomplished young scholars and Canadian friends of our two Foundations, good luck!

"The High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom has received an invitation to attend the Commonwealth Service, the UK’s largest, annual inter-faith celebration and premier public event to celebrate the Commonwealth. While the format and scale of this year’s event is still being considered within the context of the current pandemic situation, the organizers have commenced making preparations for the 2021 service to proceed on Monday, 8 March at Westminster Abbey. Attendees typically include members of the Royal Family, the UK Prime Minister, representatives of the Government and Opposition, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Commonwealth and UK dignitaries and UK school children."

"The Royal Commonwealth Society has invited the High Commission of Canada to nominate a young person of outstanding achievement from our local diaspora that could carry the Canadian flag at the Service. The flag bearer should be Canadian, aged between 18 and 29 years of age; and must be available on Monday 8 March (8:30-16:30) as well as the afternoon of Saturday 6 March (16:00-18:00) for a mandatory rehearsal."

"To propose a flag bearer, please submit a nomination to LDNPublicAffairs@international.gc.ca by deadline of 4 pm Wednesday, 27 January. Please include in your email: the nominee's name, gender, date of birth, contact details including email and mobile, reason for the nomination and the name of the nominator."

A First for Canadian Art Galleries. The MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina Saskatchewan recently announced the appointment of John G. Hampton as Executive Director and CEO, making the MacKenzie the first public gallery in Canada to hire an Indigenous Director (they were also the first to hire an Indigenous Head Curator). While significant in its representation, it is heartening to see the magnificent work John has done to date to forge a new path in museum stewardship.

Previously, Hampton led the Programs Department and “implemented an artistic vision for the gallery’s programs centered around radical diversity, cultural health, writing art histories, and transformation.” Actions of note included appointing the gallery’s first Elder in Residence, chairing the newly formed Equity Task Force, as well as working on artwork repatriation. Looking back at the MacKenzie’s exhibition programme, it is replete with shows that foreground indigenous points of view, challenge art history, and highlight local artists. Opening January 28 (with a virtual opening on February 4), the upcoming show, ithin-eh-wuk – we place ourselves at the center, brings together the collaborative dialogue between husband-and-wife Rock Cree James Nicholas and Ukrainian-Canadian Sandra Semchuk.

James Nicholas and Sandra Semchuk, understoryoverstory (detail), 2004-5. — James Nicholas and Sandra Semchuk, *understoryoverstory* (detail), 2004-5.

Looking forward to the future, Hampton states, “I intend to bring a spirit of interdependence, innovation, trust, wonder, and respect as we celebrate the deep art history of this land in tandem with the most innovative practices and conversations happening in Canada and beyond.” We send our congratulations to John and look forward to the work he will do at The MacKenzie.

In our spotlight this week is Matthew Moth, Canada-UK Chamber President and co-founder of UK-based, globally connected communications firm Madano. Matthew has been involved with the Canada-UK Chamber since 2014 and was elected President in 2018. This year the Chamber celebrates 100 years of facilitating business relationships between Canada and the UK, and we look forward to events to commemorate this important achievement.

A conversation with Matthew these days will reveal not only a great depth of expertise in Canada-UK relations and in the communications arena, but also a breadth of interests encompassing his charitable involvement in learning disability and helping those suffering with gambling addiction, his love of fun and family, and a life-long interest in arts and culture, particularly live music.

Following his graduation from Manchester University, his keen interest in live music turned his thoughts towards the possibility of music journalism even if his degree was in Politics and Modern History. Although he's still an avid live music fan (who says he can’t wait for live gigs to resume!), his career path ultimately led him elsewhere, including to senior roles with international construction and housing group Taylor Woodrow and later communications giants such as Bell Pottinger.

Matthew shared with us that the founding of Madano is amongst his proudest achievements. Madano grew, evolved, and ultimately became part of one of the world’s leading communications networks, AVENIR Global/NATIONAL PR, which is headquartered in Montreal. Matthew, and Madano, have a wealth of experience in communications strategy development including issues, crisis, and change management. Both Matthew and the firm take pride in not having lost the ever so slightly irreverent edge that they started with, an edge that both distinguishes them and keeps them buoyant.

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